Diabetes Drugs Causing Thyroid and Pancreatic Cancer

The FDA has received reports of pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer that may be associated with the use of the following Type 2 diabetes drugs:

Byetta (Bristol-Myers Squibb)

Victoza (Novo Nordisk)

Januvia (Merck)

Onglyza (Bristol-Myers Squibb)

Tradjenta (Boehringer Ingelheim)

Injectable Agents

Brand Name

Year Approved

Manufacturer

Exenatide

Byetta

2005

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Liraglutide

Victoza

2010

Novo Nordisk

Oral Agents

Brand Name

Year Approved

Manufacturer

Sitagliptin

Januvia

2006

Merck

Saxagliptin

Onglyza

2009

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Linagliptin

Tradjenta

2011

Boehringer Ingelheim

Studies and reports have shown that Byetta, Victoza, Januvia, Onglyza and Tradjenta may cause an increased risk of pancreatic cancer or thyroid cancer and other serious adverse drug events.

If you or a loved one has taken Byetta, Victoza, Januvia, Onglyza or Tradjenta, and have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer or pancreatic cancer, contact the diabetes cancer drug lawyers at Bohrer Brady LLC, for a free, confidential case analysis. Contact Us.

Byetta Thyroid Cancer:

On March 13, 2013, the FDA issued a drug safety communication concerning Byetta, Januvia and other similar drugs which stated:

Exocrine pancreatic cancer – affects the part of the pancreas that makes digestive substances

Endocrine pancreatic cancer – affects the part of the pancreas that makes insulin and other hormones

A lump or swelling in the neck

Pain in the neck or ears

Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Hoarseness not related to a cold

Cough that continues and is not related to a cold

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is evaluating unpublished new findings by a group of academic researchers that suggest an increased risk of pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, and pre-cancerous cellular changes called pancreatic duct metaplasia in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with a class of drugs called incretin mimetics. These findings were based on examination of a small number of pancreatic tissue specimens taken from patients after they died from unspecified causes. FDA has asked the researchers to provide the methodology used to collect and study these specimens and to provide the tissue samples so the Agency can further investigate potential pancreatic toxicity associated with incretin mimetics.

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms:

Pancreatic cancer in the head of the pancreas causes symptoms such as weight loss, jaundice, dark urine, light stool, itching, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, back pain, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

Pancreatic cancer in the body or tail of the pancreas causes stomach or back pain and weight loss.

Generally, pancreatic cancer is diagnosed by history, physical exam and tests, which include ultrasound, CT scan, endoscopic ultrasound and biopsy.

Thyroid Cancer Symptoms:

Thyroid cancer can cause symptoms such as:

What Is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a disease of the thyroid gland that is located in the front of your neck. The thyroid gland makes hormones that help your body function normally.

How Is Thyroid Cancer Diagnosed?

A doctor performs a physical exam and orders a blood test to check your thyroid gland function. If the blood test is abnormal, other tests, scans or a biopsy is done.

Do I have A Diabetes Drug Cancer Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or thyroid cancer and has taken the diabetes drugs Byetta, Victoza, Januvia, Onglyza or Tradjenta, call the diabetes drug cancer lawyers at Bohrer Brady LLC, at 1-800-876-3911 for a free consultation, or fill out the form on this page. The consultation is confidential and free.

Do not make any changes to your medication regime without consulting with your physician.